The floating pool was proposed for the city of San Francisco and will be the first public pool of its kind in the city, bringing a whole new water experience to the Bay Area. Located in the San Francisco Bay, an Olympic-size heated pool will float on Pier 30-32, currently used as a parking garage, and will be renovated as part of the project.
The proposed floating pool will be surrounded by retail space, offices and housing, including a 725-unit apartment building, 25 percent of which will provide affordable housing. San Francisco state senator Scott Wiener proposed legislation in 2021 to allow pools to be built on state piers. The plan offers a unique space for rest and relaxation while protecting the city’s waterfront from the effects of climate change and rising sea levels.
This concept has been contested as previous attempts to revitalize the pier have failed. Previous plans to turn the area into a stadium, museum, and cruise terminal failed. Nevertheless, Weiner hopes that the project will be successful. He believes that previous plans failed because they were trying to rebuild the pier, whereas this project called for a complete refurbishment of the pier. The success of the project depends on the approval of the city, the state and various other agencies.
A floating pool will be built on one of the two piers, while the other will be converted into 375,000 square feet of office space and 45,000 square feet of retail space. The pool will have space for swimming, water polo and relaxing in the hot tub. Part of the bay surrounding the pool will be reserved for open water swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Like the Plus Pool proposed for New York’s East River, the project aims to create an attractive and sustainable space that improves the waterfront and provides opportunities for new homes and public spaces for all.
The new project plan differs from previous versions in that the emphasis is on retail space on the waterfront, giving the impression of a large office park with some recreational areas on the waterfront. In the latest version of the project, swimming is emphasized, as well as public access to the bay and views of the bridge across the bay. Plans are underway to rehabilitate one pier, with the remaining pier to be converted into an Olympic-size swimming pool, children’s swimming pool, hot tubs and showers. Along the Embarcadero there will be a market hall with food stalls and craft stalls where manufacturers can sell their wares.
The developers of the project, Strada Investment Group and Trammell Crow, hope to attract swimmers in the bay with a fenced area similar to a water park near Crissy Field. They plan to heat the pool, most likely with fresh water, not ice water that is pumped in from the bay. The developer has also released renderings of the new pier, which is more open to the public than previous plans.
The pier redevelopment plan aims to revitalize the Embarcadero and make it more enjoyable for the public. The project’s success hinges on whether Embarcadero feels less like a stroll down a pair of office lobbies and more like an inviting waterfront location. The concept has undergone some changes in response to feedback from government agencies, especially those that control the embankments. These changes reflect a desire to create a space that is more in harmony with the natural environment, with more emphasis on public spaces and recreation on the water.
The project faces a number of challenges, including state ownership of the proposed site, meaning that developers will need to obtain special legislative permission before building on the site. The project must also receive approval from the city, state, and a number of other agencies.
The developers hope the floating pool will offer a unique aquatic experience in San Francisco, drawing locals and tourists to the Bay Area. The concept is strongly supported by San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who said the project will help the city invest in critical infrastructure, protect the waterfront from climate change and rising sea levels, and create space for new homes and spaces. view of the beautiful embankment of the city.
Pool Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joe Trusty is also the CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency in the pool industry. Internet entrepreneur, software developer, author and marketing expert with extensive experience in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff of Pool Magazine. To contact Joe Trusty, email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during regular business hours. Send a message to [email protected] to send
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Western Pool & Spa Show, which has been held annually in Long Beach, California for the past 30 years. Over 10,000 pool and spa industry professionals attended Pool & Spa West last year, making it one of the most visited national trade shows in the country.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Eric Nielson, Director of the Western Pool & Spa Show, on the Pool Magazine Podcast. He gave us some insight into the history of this annual event.
“It all started as a small table and then it has grown, and this will also be our 30th year in Long Beach, the city that has become our home. So we are celebrating two milestones,” Nelson said.
“A few years ago, a small group of manufacturers, sales representatives and some pool workers got together and said, ‘Hey, maybe we should do something to educate people in the San Fernando Valley,’” Nelson said.
“They had a small event in Studio City that grew into a bigger event. I believe Ray Pak or one of the heater companies said, ‘Hey, maybe we can put our product in the lobby’ is incentive for the showroom. So they started, and then they brought in more stuff, and it just grew and grew from there. From there it moved to the convention center in Pasadena, and then we don’t do that anymore. Then we were in Anaheim for a little time, and we’ve been in Long Beach for 30 years,” Nelson explained.
Known in the industry, Western Show has really changed over the years, from being traditionally known as a “service show” to becoming more involved in the industry’s pool building aspect. It also provides excellent value to visitors by providing them with a wide range of educational opportunities and workshops.
The March 23-35 show is open to affiliate deals only. Registration is required and there are workshops on how to become a CPO, workshops in electrical and plumbing, and workshops in Spanish.
“We are all volunteers and our goal is education,” Nelson said. “Everything we do is dedicated to providing high quality opportunities for the education industry. $115. You can come for three days and take any of the 90 different courses .. including one for Hispanic visitors. You really can’t get that anywhere.”
Pentair, Hayward, and Fluidra, as well as Watershape University, Pool Nation, Orenda Technologies, Taylor Technologies, PAL Lighting, and many more, run educational workshops. Course schedule and exhibition time of this event:
The Western Pool & Spa Show has hourly raffles and a great raffle at the end of the event. “We’re giving away $20,000 in cash,” Nielson said, “and last year we also gave away prizes totaling almost $60,000. Last year’s second prize was a Pentair pump, heater, filter and a complete equipment cushion. hourly drawings. This year we are using the AquaCal autopilot. They donated a heat pump worth about $9,000.”
The Western Show is also a great opportunity to network with professionals, distributors and manufacturers and learn about the latest products and innovations. This show remains one of the easiest to watch on the West Coast and offers some of the best value when it comes to educational opportunities for pool professionals.
Pool magazine is sure to be in the house, so be sure to stop by our booth (#216) to pick up our spring issue featuring Insane Pools host and Lucas Lagoons owner Lucas Congdon.
Interested in learning more about the Western Pool & Spa Show? Listen to our conversation with Eric Nielson on the Pool Magazine podcast.
LONDON, UK (March 20, 2023) – Pentair recently appointed Jerome Pedretti as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its Pools Division and Greg Claffey as President of the Pools Group.
In their roles, Pedretti and Claffy share a commitment to continue supporting pool professionals by delivering superior innovation, accelerating category growth with smart, sustainable products and solutions for the future of the pool industry, and making it easy to do business with Pentair.
“Our dealer base in Pula is very important to us and we work with a customer first mentality every day and try to be closer to our customers,” says Jerome Pedretti. “These dealers – pool builders, service companies, small retailers – are critical to our success. We are focused on prioritizing their needs and looking after our customers in the future.”
“Our network of pool professionals, channel partners and dealers is central to our vision for the future,” said Greg Claffy. “We believe 2023 will be a great year as we work to create innovative and energy efficient pool solutions to help people enjoy water more sustainably.”
ABOUT PENTAIR At Pentair, we help the world move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most important resource, in a sustainable way. From our residential and commercial solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.
With around $4.1 billion in revenue in 2022, Pentair trades under the symbol PNR. With approximately 11,250 employees worldwide, we serve customers in over 150 countries and are committed to improving the quality of life and the environment around the world. For more information, please visit www.pentair.com. As an industry leader in pools and spas, Pentair is committed to taking the pool experience to the next level with connected, efficient and high-quality products that allow people to immerse themselves in magical, wonder-filled moments by the pool, giving them time for—and soulfulness. calm – create them. Pentair pool solutions are designed to filter, purify and sanitize water, and automation makes them easy to manage from anywhere. For more information, visit pentair.com/pool.
Caution on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that we consider to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Any reference to “purpose”, “plan”, “believe”, “foresee”, “intend”, “will”, “may”, “may”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, without limitation. “should”, “will”, “may”, “position”, “strategy”, “future” or words, phrases or terms of similar content or their negation are forward-looking statements. is not a guarantee of future results and is subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. general global economic and business conditions affecting our business, including the strength of the real estate and related markets, as well as conditions related to sanctions conflicts related to Russia and Ukraine, supply, demand, logistics, competitive and price pressures, related to the markets we serve, the ability to recognize the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction plans and transformation plans, the impact of inflation such as raw material, logistics and labor costs, currency exchange rate fluctuations, the inability of the market to accept the launch and improvement of new products as well as the ability to integrate acquisitions; risks associated with doing foreign business; influence of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the consequences of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policies, including the limitation of US tax credits or the impact on trade agreements and changes in tariffs, the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings, and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operational and ESG goals. For more information about these and other factors, see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. All forward-looking statements, including all financial projections, speak only as of the date of this press release. Pentair undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.
In this edition, I have the honor to introduce you to my dear friend and business partner, Ludivine “Ludy” Perrin-Stsepaniuk of Ovia Entertainment, a Las Vegas watersports production and training company, President and Creative Director in Nevada. Affectionately known as Ludi, she is an accomplished aquatic performer, synchronized swimmer, choreographer and instructor.
3 For years, her life and career revolved around the pool. Her water achievements are growing every year and are impressive. One of Ludi’s latest exploits was the role of an aquatic stuntman in the hit Avatar: The Way of the Water. Her path to this role is legendary.
We first met in 2017 when she readily agreed to participate in Paragon Pools’ PSA “Float Like A Duck Water Safety” series “Learn to Float, Let Me…”. Videos in English and Spanish are designed to inform and inspire young people for exciting adventures and career opportunities after learning to swim.
PSA represents a wide range of individuals and groups from the Southern Nevada community who have learned to swim for personal growth, success, and athletic, academic, and professional achievement along the way.
For Lu Di, this statement is of great importance: learning to swim is not only a stepping stone, but also a stage in her whole life. “I feel that being able to swim saved my life… it guided me through life.”
Ludi was born in Nimes, France in 1984 and started swimming at the age of 2. “I went to classes at the local public swimming pool,” Ludi recalls. “My parents built a pool in our backyard when I was 4 years old. It was deep, I think the shallow part was about 5 feet, and I had to walk and swim all the time.”
“My sister, Virginia, who was nine years older than me, was a synchronized swimmer who I looked up to and who inspired me to take up the sport. At that time, the typical synchronized swimmer was tall, with thin, long legs. small, but my sister told me that sync might be my ticket to get out of the house.If I work hard, everyone will want me on their team.”
At the age of 6, she joined a small synchronized club where her older sister swam. Her love for water sports intensified when she took part in the first French water show, Sirella, starring French Olympian Muriel Hermine. Ludy’s hard work paid off, and at the age of 12 she was invited to swim at one of the best clubs in Aix-en-Provence. After numerous national championships, Ludi moved to Paris to swim with the INSEP senior national team where she competed for 2 years and won the national championship.
Ludi moved to Belgium in 2004 to join the creative team of the water themed show Le Reve written by Franco Dragone and directed by Guiliano Peparini. In 2005, she was the opening act at the Wynn in Las Vegas, performing nightly for 10 years, over 5,000 performances in total.
In 2012, thanks to Ludy’s talent, she became the captain of the synchronization team. In this role, Ludi is excellent.
“I really enjoyed teaching new actors, coaching teammates and being able to choreograph episodes. I knew I could do that and wanted to have more control over myself. That’s when I decided I wanted to be my own boss.” Ludi (below) and her colleagues from Ovia Entertainment pose in one of their most popular outfits, a vintage swimsuit. Image Credit: Tomek Pleskaczynski – Artsy Memories
Ludi’s turning point came in 2016 when she was named head coach of the Nevada Desert Mermaids (NDM) synchronized swimming team and founded her own company, Ovia Entertainment. A popular performer and choreographer, Ludy and her Ovia performers have appeared in television, film, commercials and music videos, and print.
“I feel like I’ve really developed all aspects of water. I love creating, coaching and teaching swimming.”
As a pool designer/builder, when I travel or visit people with pools, I instinctively analyze the pool, how it was designed, built and how well it is maintained. When you come across a pool, how do you rate it?
“My team and I have performed in swimming pools all over the world. If it’s a workout, show, throw, or whatever, the first thing I do is put my hand down and check my temperature. Any synchronized person would do this – You check your temperature because it will tell you how your day is going. The warmer the better, especially if you are there for 12 hours and the ideal water temperature is 89 degrees.”
“Then I check the chlorine levels and the quality of the water, which is very important. In my sport, we don’t wear goggles. We won’t be able to work that long in a heavily chlorinated pool. Alternative disinfectants are much better. For any kind of visual work, like filming.” films, commercials, photographs or music videos underwater, water transparency is also important.
The next thing I look at is the design and shape of the pool. I like to use the entire setup by dedicating the entire pool to clients. I asked about the depth of the pool, can we use the water feature where the audience will stand and determine where the performers will enter the pool. I also confirmed that they have working headlights. For evening shows we need lights for safety. But I love that we can have different colored lights because it really adds to the mood of the choreography. This makes it more like a stage. The motto of my company is to turn the pool into a magical liquid stage! We always feel happy when we have a beautiful pool because that is our stage. Ovia performers transform a wet pool deck into a magical liquid stage Photo: Mary Weil, MBA Publicist | Pool Credit: Paragon Pools
You mentioned security earlier, what security elements are you looking for to keep your sync team and performers safe?
“If it’s an evening show, a working underwater light is crucial. We need it to see the inside and sides of the pool, as well as notice each other. But it’s especially important when we’re doing acrobatic stunts in the water. You need to check your surroundings before doing a backflip on their shoulders If they are too close to the wall they might hurt someone I also check the pool deck there are a lot of very slippery deck tiles here we test by putting the whole deck down Wet it and see if we can we dance, jump and spin on it. If it is slippery, then we adjust the choreography. Water quality is also a safety issue. If we arrive and the pool is not in good condition, we will offer a dry show instead of the pool. I also discuss our actions with the pool manager. and lifeguards and looking at red flags – arms crossed in an X shape and fists clenched Whether it’s my performers or sports teams, I’ll be the first to jump because I know choreography, I know what looks natural, I know what this person looks like when they’re in trouble.”